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The term “mansplaining” is a relatively new one. After first being innovated by the author Rebecca Solnit in 2008, it allowed women to describe a common experience they share for which they never had the terminology. “Mansplaining” went beyond the generics like “patronizing” and “presumptuous” and shed light on a profoundly negative side that men explaining things to women has.

Unfortunately, unsolicited explanations from men who are neither your teacher nor your manager are all too common. But to see the level of absurdity and obviousness of the things women have mansplained to them, we have to look at the actual instances that happened to them in real life.

So when Twitter user Nicole Froio, who’s a PhD on sexual violence and masculinity, asked women to share “the most obvious thing a man has ever mansplained to you,” the answers started pouring in one after another. Both ludicrous and plain irritating, they speak thousands of words about power imbalance and gender bias, which shouldn’t be the case when we live in 2021.

Read more irritating mansplaining cases as shared by women in our previous article right here.

Image credits: NicoleFroio

#1

Women-Share-Worst-Mansplaining-Experiences

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Vicky Zar
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Men can be good and nice and still say something silly now and again. Have you never made a mistake, spoken before thinking or done something stupid?

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Kerry Alderson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was in an auto shop and the guy at the counter told me to tell my boyfriend to replace the alternator and to bring in the old one. I replaced it in the carpark and returned it to him before I left... not quite the same but it is 😆

Joanne Hudson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While this seldom happens to me, I enjoy a long, blank stare. Sometimes followed by a question I know he can't answer.

Dark Pearl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

David Retsler, what the ducking duck is wrong with you? There is no need to say these things! Mewton's Third Paw, are you okay?

Neill Powell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clearly a wasted degree, if she couldn't find it on the first try and he had to resort to mansplaining

Mike Kozubski
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3 years ago

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Debbie Lavender
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i’d pick my battles. this a small thing over the life of a marriage. small thing in a friendship. small thing at work.

Brunning6
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The comment could be read to be about the husband of the other person in the contract, not necessarily Jenny Liu's husband.

David Retsler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww-, Mewton- if you're going to go through the trouble of lying about me, at least make it plausible. For example "I hate the LGBTQ community and wish they would all did so I can wear my MAGA clothing to their funerals."- Mewton's Third Paw. You see, this is something anyone works believe you would say. Chances are you really DID so it at one time but here, I'm just making it up. So, yeah, put some effort into your feeble attempts to insult me, sweetheart. If you're going to play on the big league, you better wear your big boy pants. Feel free to try again.

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David Retsler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A happily married couple doesn't have "lanes." They swim together in the same lane as a united partnership. I guess you wouldn't know, though.

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David Retsler
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3 years ago

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Because a spouse looking out for their spouse is a d**k move. Okay. The "I went to Harvard Law" arrogance is stunning.

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    #2

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    LuckyL
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I mean... You push the same way - everything else is completely different (yes, I've done both)

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    #3

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    H Edwards
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I witnessed an American man trying to explain a Spanish girl's name to her. He was insisting that one of her names was a 'middle' name, and she was patiently saying that names work differently in Spain. She finally snapped and said 'I know what my own name is'. He was also manspreading in the worst possible way. It was quite hilarious to watch.

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    Bored Panda reached out to the author of the thread, Nicole Froio, who is a feminist writer and researcher. Nicole explained that “mansplaining is one of many daily aggressions women go through in a sexist and misogynistic society, so it has to be understood as a part of a larger system of oppression rather than an isolated incident.”

    It comes from the assumption that “women and other non-men don't have the intelligence to understand the topic at hand, which is a sexist and misogynistic assumption. The mansplainer will explain something that the woman probably already knows already, usually in a condescending and infantilizing way.”

    #4

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    Sum Guy
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I never understood why men feel the need to say balls hurt more. That might be true, but it's a pain that lasts 30 seconds at it's most intense then subsides... childbirth is constant for a longtime

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    According to Nicole, it depends where the act of mansplaining happens. For example, when it’s in a professional setting, “this can result in the woman in a professional setting feeling disrespected and/or inept for doing their job, they could feel like they've been publicly humiliated in front of their colleagues and feel a general loss of respect for her expertise."

    #8

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    Paul K. Johnson
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know the situation there and it sounds like he was a moron. I've written a lot of code and at least a couple of times someone told me what it was really doing which wasn't what I thought it was doing. So they were right. I wrote in a bug and they caught it.

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    #9

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    Ljdia
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My ex. "I am right and if I'm not, well, let's pretend it didn't happen, let's not ever talk about it."

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    For the men who’re wondering about not coming across as mansplainers, Nicole says that simply asking can go a long way. “Instead of assuming a person doesn't know about a certain topic, why not ask 'Do you know how this works?' or 'I'm not sure if you're familiar with this, but if you do, feel free to stop me.'” These simple questions can correct the behavior that might accidentally harm someone.

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    #10

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    Ekate
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wouldn't that be great, though? Like an inner emergency guillotine.

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    #11

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    Flare
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Niall, a birthmark is when part of the skin pigments differently than the rest.

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    Even though Nicole said that mansplaining is not one of the worst things experienced by women in a patriarchal system, she sees it wrong because “it rectifies the gender structure on an interpersonal level.”

    “For example, you might be a woman in a male-dominated industry where your expertise is already undervalued because that field is male-dominated, and then one of your colleagues mansplains a simple concept everyone in the office is familiar with.”

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    Stille20
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh noooooo... it's one thing when it is a random a**hole... but that's her a**hole

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    #15

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    Ozacoter
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome job. I loved when I worked in one for a while.

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    Such cases can do long-term harm to women. “This can lead to things like imposter syndrome and an unwelcome work environment for women, where people's suspicions about the woman's supposed lack of expertise are rectified by the mansplaining."

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    When asked how one should react to being mansplained to, Nicole said that personally she finds being assertive quite important when responding to mansplaining. “I usually respond by saying things like 'Thanks for explaining, but I already knew that' or even interrupting the mansplainer and saying 'Sorry to interrupt, but I already know that, so we can move onto the next topic instead of wasting time?’”

    Your response can just be a gentle nudge to the fact that you are knowledgeable and that you don't need an explanation, Nicole concluded.

    #22

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have noticed that people just don't listen. Whatever you have to say is inconsequential. It can be infuriating, but sometimes, I think "nevermind" and I walk away.

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    #24

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    StIJN
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    seems like he might have an interesting view on the subject as he's seen the negative side of the education system.

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    #25

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    Annika Jorgensen
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maby it's more a case of he learned and read up about it and wanted to share it? My partner did the same for our son, not that he was be the breastfeeder xD. But i was happy that he took his time to read up and understand allot of things about having kids. And even if me and his mom already knew things. It's not hard to just listen, and be happy that at least they try instead of not caring about it.

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    #27

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    Tabitha L
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm guessing piloting is a male dominated field? I never thought about it. Anyone know the breakdown? Is it because of military service? Are the numbers starting to even out? Have I asked too many questions?

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    #28

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    K.
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ...and when you tell them your credentials/expertise/ or education they say you’re arrogant.

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    #31

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    Carrie Laughs
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I said something about that very issue to my sister who had no idea of the direction one should wipe.

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    #32

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    Donkey boi
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't even know there were such things as trucks with 36 gears! Does it work like bicycle gears?

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    #35

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    Samantha Lomb
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In fairness I have met a lot of people who didn't know the political history of their home country. And no they were not just Americans. Some of my Russian students have said some really funny stuff too, like when one tried to tell me the statue on the main square was Stalin. Its a bearded bald guy who is pretty obviously Lenin. And my colleagues used to have students tell them in English about the history of their home town ( Kirov) and none of the students seemed to know who that was despite the town being named for him and us having statues of him dotted around. In fairness I study Soviet history, but they would say, "Let's ask the American" and then I of course knew who Sergei Mironovich was and students would study harder for their next dialogue.

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    Samantha Lomb
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'd suggest he also go look up infant and maternal mortality rates in Africa and then report him

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    #37

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    Raine Soo
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be honest, that can be any art admirer, regardless of gender, interpreting a drawing, painting, or photograph.

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    #38

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    Periwinkle
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do they get a kick out of wrongly declaring things for women? Alternate drug high?

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    #39

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    Periwinkle
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ahh yes they do know so much more than you of that topic, y'know.

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    #40

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    Raine Soo
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the first time I've heard of this one. I must be terribly sheltered.

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    #41

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    Donkey boi
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No it is not. My Aunt told me that kidney stones hurt more than child birth, but I call BS on that because I've had kidney stones and I've seen childbirth. I'm glad I cannot give birth.

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    #42

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    Periwinkle
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Let me guess, you have one stroke of ginger hair and have tried a beer once? Despite the ginger thing being way more of a scottish thing.. Fun.

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    #44

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    Dragon girl
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I find that when I explain that my menopause is a factor in why I'm not interested in sex all the time I am ignored or im using it as an excuse to not have sex or I don't desire him. But when a guy has ED; THAT is a real problem and a more acceptable explanation for having sex issues than the menopause women go through. My boyfriend is like this.

    #45

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    Periwinkle
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is the logic behind these at this point? Stop being so prideful, men, accept someone has more knowledge in a field than you..

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    #47

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    #51

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    CowboyHank
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was a full service station. He was checking it anyway. Probably just thought he was being helpful. If this is one of the worst interactions you've had with a man, I'd say you're doing ok.

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    #53

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    Periwinkle
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Of course you don't know, that man is a professional reader and he read an article online!

    #54

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    Ksenia M
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be completely fair being pregnant does not actually make you an expert on pregnancies in general. That's why we have doctors.

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    #56

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    Luther von Wolfen
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably one of many who think the Nazis were socialists. It's a common misconception, promoted by Glenn Beck and other rightwing propagandists.

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    #57

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    Periwinkle
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do they think it's like cow milk? I wonder.. Cheese?

    #58

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    #60

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    Jonathan
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    3 years ago

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    That isn't mansplaining. That's someone looking out for your health, skin cancer is awful.

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    #61

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    BonnyDK
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He just wanted to look at your boobs. Lame excuse if I ever heard one.

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    #62

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    Periwinkle
    Community Member
    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are you sure....? Really sure? He also read an article, from a totally legit website.

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    #63

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    Corey Brown
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Doesn't mean he doesn't know what he is talking about. You assume he doesn't know because he was working as a custodian. Seems a little small minded to me

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    #64

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    Hello
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    3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is fine and Verena, she said he explained what she did for a living, not that he helped her with his ideas and thoughts. He literally told her how her job works.

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